World Hypertension Day is observed every 17 May (postponed to 17 October in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) with the aim of promoting awareness and efforts to prevent, diagnose and control high blood pressure, a condition that can lead to cardiovascular disease. constitute the main risk factor for Disease.
What is this disease?
We speak of arterial hypertension when the blood pressure in our blood vessels is very high (40/90 mmHg or higher). This is a common problem, which can take a serious form if not treated.
Cause
Many factors can affect blood pressure, including:
- the amount of water and salt in your body
- kidney, nervous system, or blood vessel conditions
- your hormone levels
The people who are most at risk of suffering from this disease are:
- African Americans
- obese people
- people who are stressed
- alcoholics
- people who eat a lot of salt
- people who have a family history of the disease
- people with diabetes
- smokers
Symptom
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, although very high blood pressure can cause headache, blurred vision, chest pain, and other symptoms.
The best way to know whether you have high blood pressure or not. People who have very high blood pressure may have these symptoms:
- severe headache
- Pain in chest
- Dizziness
- shortness of breath
- nausea
- vomit
- blurred vision or vision changes
- Worry
- confusion
- ringing in the ears
- bleeding nose
- change in heart rhythm
Treatment
There are habit changes that help reduce high blood pressure, including:
- eat a healthy, low-salt diet
- reduce weight
- practice physical activity
- give up smoking.
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend one or more medicines to lower it to a level that will depend on other diseases you have.
To prevent this disease, follow the following tips:
- eat more fruits and vegetables
- spend less time sitting
- being physically active, such as walking, running, swimming, dancing, or strength-building activities, such as lifting weights
- Lose weight if you are obese or overweight
- take medications prescribed by your health care professional
- Go to scheduled visits with your health professional.
